The Big Cricket League (BCL) 2024-25 concluded in spectacular fashion as Irfan Pathan’s Mumbai Marines claimed their maiden title on December 22. In an electrifying final, the Marines defeated Suresh Raina’s Southern Spartans by seven wickets, capping off the league’s thrilling inaugural season.

IRFAN PATHAN 🤝 ROHIT SHARMA…!!!!

– Irfan Pathan walking with Trophy during the Celebration like Rohit Sharma after winning the Big Cricket League. pic.twitter.com/YPHJ3G07F4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 23, 2024

Marines’ captain Irfan Pathan played a pivotal role in securing the win and celebrated the triumph with an iconic walk towards his team, a gesture reminiscent of Rohit Sharma’s celebration after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory against South Africa.

The Southern Spartans set a competitive target, but the Mumbai Marines, led by Pathan’s brilliant leadership and all-round performance, chased it down convincingly. Fans were delighted to witness the intense showdown between two cricketing greats, Pathan and Raina, who showcased their enduring skills on the grand stage.

The inaugural season of the BCL has been a massive success, providing fans with thrilling cricketing action and unforgettable moments. Pathan’s stylish celebration added a fitting conclusion to the season, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next edition.

Actor Varun Dhawan recently opened up about an emotional moment involving cricketer Virat Kohli during India’s loss at the Nottingham Test. In a conversation on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, Varun shared a story revealed to him by Anushka Sharma, Kohli’s wife and his co-star from Sui Dhaaga.

Anushka recalled finding Virat in tears after the Test match, blaming himself for the defeat despite being the highest scorer that day. “She said she didn’t attend that game. When she came back, she found Virat in the room, crying and blaming himself for the loss,” Varun shared.

Varun also spoke about Anushka’s genuine personality and her evolved perspective on life. Describing her as a “real person,” he noted her ability to make an impact on everyone she meets. The duo spent time discussing various topics during their film shoot, with Varun appreciating her honesty and spiritual depth.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma tied the knot in 2017 and are now parents to two children, daughter Vamika and son Akaay. The couple continues to balance their professional and personal lives while supporting each other through highs and lows.

Devajit Saikia is a former first-class cricketer and the current Acting Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He was appointed to this role after Jay Shah was elevated to the position of ICC Chairman. Saikia is a lawyer by profession and currently serves as the BCCI Joint Secretary.

Born in Assam, Saikia is also known for his involvement in cricket as a wicketkeeper-batter. He played in the Ranji Trophy for the Assam cricket team, featuring in four matches. In addition to his cricketing background, Saikia is also the Advocate General of Assam, underlining his professional expertise outside the cricketing world.

Saikia’s appointment as the acting secretary of BCCI comes in a stop-gap arrangement, as per BCCI’s constitutional rules, until a permanent secretary is appointed. He was entrusted with this responsibility by BCCI President Roger Binny, who referred to clause 7(1)(d) of the BCCI constitution in the letter of appointment.

Saikia’s leadership in the role of Acting Secretary will be closely watched as he manages the operations of the board until a permanent replacement for Shah is found.

Following Jay Shah’s appointment as the ICC Chairman on December 1, 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now appointed an acting secretary. Former first-class cricketer and current BCCI joint secretary, Devajit Saikia, has been named the acting secretary by BCCI president Roger Binny. Saikia will hold the role until a permanent secretary is appointed.

Saikia, who hails from Assam, has been serving as the BCCI joint secretary and brings with him a wealth of experience. A lawyer by profession, he also played in the Ranji Trophy as a wicketkeeper-batter for the Assam cricket team, appearing in four matches. His appointment as acting secretary comes in a stop-gap arrangement, as per the constitutional powers vested in the BCCI president.

In a letter to Saikia, Binny referred to clause 7(1)(d) of the BCCI constitution, which allows the president to delegate secretarial duties in case of a vacancy or indisposition. “In the event of a vacancy or indisposition, the president shall delegate the functions to another office bearer until the vacancy is filled or the indisposition ends,” Binny wrote. He further expressed confidence in Saikia’s ability to manage the responsibilities with skill and dedication.

As of now, Saikia will carry out the duties of the secretary until the position is officially filled according to BCCI rules and regulations.

Afghanistan’s star all-rounder, Rashid Khan, is set to return to action in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. Rashid, who missed the recent Test against New Zealand due to a back injury, will be back in the squad for the matches scheduled to take place in Sharjah, UAE.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s key batter, Ibrahim Zadran, will be ruled out of the series due to an ankle sprain. Another notable return to the squad is bowler Naveed Zadran, who had been sidelined during the New Zealand Test with a side strain.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the squad on Thursday. The ODIs against South Africa will be held on September 18, 20, and 22 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Afghanistan Squad:

• Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)
• Rahmat Shah
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Ikram Alikhil
• Abdul Malik
• Riaz Hassan
• Darwish Rasooli
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Mohammad Nabi
• Gulbadin Naib
• Rashid Khan
• Nangyal Kharoti
• Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
• Fazal Haq Farooqi
• Bilal Sami
• Naveed Zadran
• Farid Ahmad Malik

Afghanistan will be looking to make a strong statement with Rashid Khan back in the lineup, as they continue their journey on the international stage.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the appointment of Ramakrishnan Sridhar, widely known as R Sridhar, as their new assistant coach.

R Sridhar’s Background:

• Extensive Experience:
  • Sridhar served as the fielding coach for India’s men’s cricket team from 2014 to 2021.
  • During his tenure, he was part of over 300 matches, including four World Cups.
  • He has also worked with the National Cricket Academy and the Punjab Kings as a fielding and spin bowling coach.
• Franchise Cricket:
  • Sridhar was the spin bowling coach for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) from 2014 to 2017 in the IPL.

New Role with Afghanistan:

• Assistant to Jonathan Trott:
  • Sridhar will work under head coach Jonathan Trott for Afghanistan’s upcoming series.
  • His role begins with a one-off Test match against New Zealand in Noida on September 9.
  • Following the Test, Afghanistan will play three ODIs against South Africa in Sharjah from September 18 to 22.

Temporary Appointment:

• The ACB has indicated that Sridhar’s current appointment may be temporary, with a possibility of a long-term contract in the future.

In a move that strengthens cricket ties between India and Afghanistan, the BCCI has granted permission for Afghanistan to host its upcoming series against Bangladesh in India. The series will be held at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, marking Afghanistan’s return to this venue after a four-year absence.

The white-ball series, scheduled for July and August, will feature three ODIs and three T20Is between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh team will arrive in Greater Noida on July 22nd, with the first ODI taking place on July 25th. The remaining ODIs will be on July 27th and 30th. The T20I series starts on August 2nd and concludes on August 6th, with Bangladesh departing on August 7th.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in India: Schedule

– Arrival: Bangladesh team arrives on July 22nd

– First ODI: July 25th

– Second ODI: July 27th

– Third ODI: July 30th

– First T20I: August 2nd

– Second T20I: August 4th

– Third T20I: August 6th

– Departure: Bangladesh departs on August 7th

The BCCI has designated two venues in Uttar Pradesh for Afghanistan’s home series – Greater Noida and Kanpur. This follows a trend established in 2015, when Afghanistan played matches in Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida.

While the Bangladesh series will be held in Greater Noida, other upcoming Afghan matches might be played at either the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur or the Greater Noida stadium. Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium is a well-known venue for international matches and will host the second Test between India and Bangladesh starting September 27th.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has assured that preparations for the India-Bangladesh Test series in Kanpur are underway. He confirmed that the pitches at Green Park Stadium will be in optimal condition by September, addressing any shortcomings before the matches.

This series marks another chapter in the growing cricket relationship between India and Afghanistan, offering a platform for competitive cricket and fostering strong sporting ties between the two nations.